Residents demand accountability after hurricane power outages

Residents of the Oak Forest neighborhood in District C are expressing their frustration over prolonged power outages following a recent hurricane, with some families enduring up to 15 days without electricity. Alan Boswell, a local resident, voiced his concerns during a city council meeting, highlighting the lack of timely response from CenterPoint Energy, the utility company responsible for restoring power.

Boswell detailed his family's struggle, noting that despite numerous attempts to contact CenterPoint, the mayor, and other officials, assistance only arrived eight days after the storm. He criticized the utility's communication system, which he described as ineffective, and called for transparency regarding the prioritization of power restoration efforts. He emphasized that residents deserve to know where they stand on the list of restoration priorities, especially in light of previous outages experienced in May.

Council members, including Mayor Whitmore and Councilman Kamin, acknowledged the residents' anger and frustration, agreeing that accountability is necessary. They expressed their commitment to holding CenterPoint accountable for its response and communication failures. Kamin noted that the issues with power stability and infrastructure have been ongoing, and he pledged to escalate concerns to the utility company.

The council is considering holding hearings to address the situation and explore potential legislative changes to improve utility regulation and response in future emergencies. Residents are hopeful that their voices will lead to meaningful changes in how power outages are managed and communicated.